How to Choose a Martial Art to Learn

Video Transcript

"Hi everybody. I'm John Graden from the Martial Arts Teacher's Association and JohnGraden.com. How do you choose a martial arts to learn? How do you choose a martial art to learn? You know, that's an interesting question, because boy when you talk about martial arts you've got a wide expansive spectrum of various arts, styles and approaches. Here's a couple tips. If you're looking for a martial art for your child you want to make sure that you are clear on your goals. Why do you want your child in martial arts? Do you want the child to become more disciplined, respectful, learn self control? Of course we do. We want to make sure that's part of it. So, you want to match up with a school that makes sure that's part of the tenants. That's what they teach. In other wards it's not just a physical school where everybody's just punching and kicking and doing self defense. You want to make sure that there's that element of mental training where they're talking about the importance of self discipline. They're talking about the importance of self control and respect. So, that's one element. If you're looking for a school that is specific to self defense you want your child to stop being bullied. You want to make sure they can take care of them self, which is really an important issue. You want to go to a school that emphasizes real self defense. When I say real self defense; we want to avoid in those scenarios a more traditional school where they'll spend a lot of times on very traditional old ancient martial art techniques. That is great training if that's what you are after, but if you're trying to find something that is going to help a child or yourself really defend yourself in a real live situation you want a school that really teaches practical, modern self defense techniques. Typically more and more we're starting to see schools that are mixing various styles together into what is known today as a mixed martial art. In time that will become the predominate system. So, if you're looking for self defense a mixed martial arts school is probably one of your best bets. If you're looking for mental control, self defense respect, self control then a traditional school might help you as well. So, we want to make that the lineation. The key to choosing a martial art for you to learn is to know first what you're trying to accomplish. Go watch the classes. Watch the beginners. Watch the advanced students. Make sure that you're motivated by this instructor, make sure that you like the instructor, make sure you enjoy their teaching style, because, you want to set a goal for black belt. That is going to take three to five years. So, make sure when you choose that school that instructor can inspire you. Keep coming to class, maybe when you're injured, sick or you've got schedule challenges that are making it hard to get to class. You always want to overcome those challenges to keep returning to class. So, the key, choose the right instructor and then you choose the martial art. I'm John Graden. I hope that helps. Thank you."